Dutch-speakers do not view English as a threat to their own language

THE HAGUE - Most people in the Netherlands Language Union - the Netherlands, Flandres and Surinam - expect their language to fare favourably in the face of an onslaught of English. While being proud of their language, although there are three varieties, people are not afraid that Dutch will be submerged by an abundance of English entries in day-to-day parlance. Some parliamentarians want to entrench Dutch more firmly in the constitution, especially since more and more schools, colleges and universities adopt bi-lingual education programs. Most Dutchmen however, do not see this as a threat. In fact, many prefer to expose their children to a ‘foreign language’ at an early age.